windows.h error

[Paul Thompson]

I am using this code here:

#include "stdafx.h"
#include "windows.h"


int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE hInstance, HINSTANCE hPrevInstance, 
    LPSTR lpCmdLine, int nCmdShow)
{
    MessageBox(NULL, "Goodbye, cruel world!", "Note", MB_OK);
    return 0;
}

But no matter what i do i keep getting this built error:

------ Build started: Project: Gui, Configuration: Debug Win32 ------
Compiling...
Gui.cpp
c:\program files\microsoft sdks\windows\v6.0a\include\winnt.h(236) : error C2146: syntax error : missing ';' before identifier 'PVOID64'
c:\program files\microsoft sdks\windows\v6.0a\include\winnt.h(236) : error C4430: missing type specifier - int assumed. Note: C++ does not support default-int
c:\program files\microsoft sdks\windows\v6.0a\include\winnt.h(7818) : error C2146: syntax error : missing ';' before identifier 'Buffer'
c:\program files\microsoft sdks\windows\v6.0a\include\winnt.h(7818) : error C4430: missing type specifier - int assumed. Note: C++ does not support default-int
c:\program files\microsoft sdks\windows\v6.0a\include\winnt.h(7818) : error C4430: missing type specifier - int assumed. Note: C++ does not support default-int

I was wondering if anyone will be able to help me out so it will be able to compile.

Cheers
Paul

[Ancient Dragon]

I started a new empty windows project, pasted your code and it compiled without any errors or warnings. When you created your project did you create a console project or windows project. It must be a windows project.

[Paul Thompson]

Yeah i am using the "Win32 Project" and even the default one dosent compile. Do i have to reinstall an SDK? Or is there something else?

[Ancient Dragon]

What version of Windows are you running? I have Vista but some people say that VC++ 6.0 doesn't work right on that os. Recommend you upgrade to the latest version of the compiler -- VC++ 2008 Express is free but doesn't support MFC.

[Nick Evan]

In addition to what Ancient already mentioned:
Change #include "windows.h" to #include <windows.h>

[Ancient Dragon]

In addition to what Ancient already mentioned: Change #include "windows.h" to #include <windows.h>

It really doesn't matter with that compiler.

[Paul Thompson]

Yeah it runs on my second computer fine.. The only problem seems to be with winnt.h.. Should i just redownload that file from somewhere? And i am using XP, and Visual C++ 6

[Ancient Dragon]

try this. I have vc++ 6.0 sp 6 installed

[mitrmkar]

With MSVC 6.0, the latest Windows SDK that can be used is the Windows Server 2003 Platform SDK

Either switch to that old SDK or get e.g. a VS Express edition, which works with your current SDK.

[Paul Thompson]

Thanks Ancient Dragon, that fixed the issues with winnt.h, but winbase.h is stuffed. I think this comes from my brother trying direct x with no success some time ago.

So does anyone know where i can get a replacement winbase.h?

Or perhaps where i could just re-download all headers?

[mitrmkar]

So does anyone know where i can get a replacement winbase.h? Or perhaps where i could just re-download all headers?

Don't ever replace/modify the system header files, instead simply get a complete SDK, which is guaranteed to be compatible with your compiler.

[Paul Thompson]

Okay so i have windows XP, Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition, what SDK do i need?

[mitrmkar]

Okay so i have windows XP, Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition, what SDK do i need?

You might look at Using Visual C++ 2008 Express with the Windows SDK

[Ancient Dragon]

With MSVC 6.0, the latest Windows SDK that can be used is the Windows Server 2003 Platform SDK

Either switch to that old SDK or get e.g. a VS Express edition, which works with your current SDK.

I'm running MSVC 6.0 on Vista Home Premium, but I agree with upgrading to VC++ 2008 (Express or another version)

[Ancient Dragon]

Okay so i have windows XP, Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition, what SDK do i need?

Depends on what you are trying to do. The compiler contains everything you need to write simple gui programs using win32 api functions. If you want MFC then you can't use the Express edition at all because it doesn't support MFC. If you want something beyond the basic gui functions then you probably should download the entire Windows Platform SDK, which is quite large.

[mitrmkar]

I'm running MSVC 6.0 on Vista Home Premium

Umm, maybe you misunderstood me (?). I was not trying to say that MSVC 6.0 cannot be used on Windows versions later than "Windows Server 2003".

Instead, I was trying to say that the "Windows Server 2003Platform SDK" is the last SDK version that is compatible and works with MSVC 6.0.

[Ancient Dragon]

Umm, maybe you misunderstood me (?). I was not trying to say that MSVC 6.0 cannot be used on Windows versions later than "Windows Server 2003".

Instead, I was trying to say that the "Windows Server 2003 Platform SDK" is the last SDK version that is compatible and works with MSVC 6.0.

Oops! you are right.

[Paul Thompson]

Cheers, i re-installed all of the headers and its worked!

Thanks guys,
Cheers